New Concerns, Rules on Drilling

Governor Ed Rendell says his administration is taking new steps to ensure public safety while drilling companies rush to the Marcellus Shale gas formation, but a state representative says the Commonwealth should just put the brakes on drilling.

Rendell said today the DEP is hiring 68 more inspectors to monitor a growing number of well sites, and writing tougher rules to prevent gas from leaking into nearby homes and water wells. The new rules would require companies to inspect wells more often and restore water supplies polluted by drillng.

The new inspectors would be paid for by drilling permits fees.

Meanwhile State Representative Greg Vitali, a Democrat from Delaware County, says the state should stop leasing state-owned land for Marcellus Shale drilling. His legilsation would place a five-year moratorium on leasing additional state land in the Marcellus Shale region for drilling

He said with thousands of wells expected on state land, no one knows what will happen to the land.

"We don't know that cummulative effect" Vitali said. "That's why we have to just stop and take a step back."

Earlier this month, five companies bid more than $128 million for about 32,000 acres of land on six seperate tracts.